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Utah State Aggies at BYU Cougars

t’s no Holy War, but there is plenty of bad blood between the Aggies and Cougars. Utah State upset BYU 31-16 as a 4-point home underdog last October, the first time it had beaten its state rival in the past 11 meetings going back to 1994.

The Old Wagon Wheel is up for grabs when these programs collide under the Friday night lights.

Run, Robert Run

The Aggies boast the fifth-best rushing offense in college football, behind the quick feet of running back Robert Turbin.

After missing the entire 2010 season due to injuries, Turbin has picked up where he left off in 2009, when he rushed for 1,296 yards – 21st in the nation. This year, he's amassed 365 yards through the first three games and has found the end zone eight times – tied for the fourth most rushing TDs. He scored four of those touchdowns in last week's loss to Colorado State.

"I think he is a great running back. In fact I was just telling our offensive staff I would love to coach him," BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall told KSL.com. "He plays hard and runs physical, runs for power and doesn't back down. He is fun to watch; I really think he is a great player."

The Cougars have struggled against the run this season, allowing more than 138 yards per game. Against Central Florida last week, BYU did a much better job containing the run, allowing only 81 yards on the ground in the 24-17 win.

However, in the 54-10 loss to Utah, the Cougars were bowled over for 242 rushing yards, giving up 6.4 yards per carry. Turbin enters Friday’s game averaging 5.7 yards a run. The Aggies have scored five rushing touchdowns in each of their first three games.

Death from above

Brigham Young was lucky to escape with a win over UCF last week, needing three second-half turnovers from the Knights and a 93-yard kick return touchdown to battle back from 14 points down.

The Cougars were outgained 399-260, with 318 of those UCF gains coming through the air. The secondary wasn’t on the same page, with corners and safeties mixing up assignments. Mendenhall blamed some of the confusion on struggles during training camp but admitted that his pass defenders need to sharpen up heading into Friday.

“We will have to keep improving that, or no matter what size of a lead we might gain, we could be at risk because of the chunks of yardage that could come by not executing over-the-top coverage, which is a bigger part of it than underneath coverage, because of the point potential,” he told the Salt Lake Tribune.

Last season, Utah State opened scoring with a 79-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Diondre Borel to receiver Xavier Martin in the win over BYU. The Aggies finished with just 192 yards through the air.

The Cougars are currently ranked 50th against the pass, giving up 209 yards passing through their first four games.

Fresh meat or Ground Chuck?

Brigham Young's pass rush is licking its chops with freshman quarterback Chuckie Keeton lining up under center for Utah State.

Keeton, who won the starting job over Adam Kennedy, isn’t the main focus of the Aggies offense, which was evident in last week’s 35-34 overtime loss to Colorado State. Keeton passed the ball only 15 times, completing nine of those throws for 86 yards.

"Chuckie struggled a lot making his reads," Aggies head coach Gary Andersen told the media. "College football caught up to him on Saturday."

The lack of a passing threat makes USU’s game plan very predictable, which concerns Andersen. He told reporters he would like to get Keeton more involved in the offense but still has trouble trusting the young pivot.

"That’s the number one priority," Andersen said. "Colorado State came up with a good pass rush and that affected our timing. That’s a concern because BYU is very good at getting pressure on the quarterback. We have to pass block in order to be effective on Friday."

Keeton went 21 for 30 for 213 yards in the Aggies' near upset of Auburn to start the year. Utah State ranks 104 out of 120 FBS programs in passing, averaging just 167 yards per game.

Trends

- Under is 4-0 in the last four meetings.
- Home team is 6-1-1 ATS in their last eight meetings.
- Aggies are 4-1-1 ATS in their last six meetings.
- Underdog is 4-1-1 ATS in their last six meetings.

Aggies are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games.
Aggies are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Aggies are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 Friday games.
Aggies are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Aggies are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
Aggies are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 non-conference games.
Aggies are 16-5-1 ATS in their last 22 games as a road underdog.
Aggies are 14-5-1 ATS in their last 20 games as an underdog.
Aggies are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games on grass.
Aggies are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Aggies are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games as a road underdog of 3.5-10.0.

Brigham Young

Cougars are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games following a S.U. win.
Cougars are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
Cougars are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
Cougars are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games.
Cougars are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
Cougars are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Cougars are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a home favorite.
Cougars are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games on grass.
Cougars are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 non-conference games.
Cougars are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
Cougars are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite.
Cougars are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games after accumulating less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
Cougars are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games in September.
Cougars are 5-15-1 ATS in their last 21 vs. WAC.
Cougars are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Friday games.

OU Trends
Utah State

Over is 3-0-1 in Aggies last 4 games overall.
Over is 3-0-1 in Aggies last 4 road games.
Over is 3-0-1 in Aggies last 4 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Aggies last 6 games on grass.
Over is 4-1 in Aggies last 5 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Under is 7-2 in Aggies last 9 games as an underdog of 3.5-10.0.
Over is 19-7-1 in Aggies last 27 games in September.
Under is 5-2-1 in Aggies last 8 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.

Brigham Young

Under is 6-0 in Cougars last 6 Friday games.
Under is 6-0 in Cougars last 6 vs. WAC.
Under is 7-1 in Cougars last 8 games in September.
Over is 4-1 in Cougars last 5 games as a home favorite of 3.5-10.0.
Over is 6-2 in Cougars last 8 games as a favorite of 3.5-10.0.
Under is 17-6 in Cougars last 23 games after accumulating less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 8-3 in Cougars last 11 games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Cougars last 7 games overall.
Under is 5-2 in Cougars last 7 non-conference games.
Under is 5-2 in Cougars last 7 games following a S.U. win.
Over is 5-2 in Cougars last 7 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Under is 18-8 in Cougars last 26 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 15-7 in Cougars last 22 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.

Head to Head

Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
Home team is 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 meetings.
Aggies are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings.
Underdog is 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings.

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